Top OCSO employees of 2nd quarter named

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has announced its top employees of the second quarter.

Each quarter sheriff’s office employees are nominated for the honor in the administrative, detention deputy and law enforcement categories.

The administrative employee of the quarter is OCSO Public Information Officer Michele Bell. She was nominated by Detective Lieutenant Brad Stark.

Michele Bell (second from left) was recently named the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office employee of the second quarter in the administrative division. Presenting her with her certificate are: (left to right) Major Noel Stephen, Detective Captain John Rhoden and Administrative Assistant Connie Curry.

“Michele has been with the criminal investigations division since 2002 and has done an outstanding job regulating the incoming phone calls, conducting business as the public information officer by posting arrests with the local and surrounding news outlets, as well as social media,” stated Lt. Stark.

He went on to point out that she manages the nearly 100 sexual offenders in Okeechobee County by making sure they are all registered and abiding by Florida laws.

Mrs. Bell, he continued, has also been involved in many fund-raising projects. Those projects include: raising money for Walter Morgan, the son of Okeechobee City Police Officer Scott Morgan, who was badly burned; the celebrity server project; the Law Enforcement Torch Run; Gang-Free Okeechobee fundraisers; the Skip Bryant barbecue and fishing tournament; and, many poker runs.

“Because of what she does, not only for the department but also for the community, I feel she deserves the recognition for administration personnel of the quarter,” stated the lieutenant.

The detention deputy of the quarter honor went to Deputy Corporal Kevin Coleman. He was nominated by Cindy Kemp.

Corporal Kevin Coleman (center) was honored recently by being named the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office employee of the second quarter in the detention deputy category. Presenting him with his certificate are Major Noel Stephen (left) and Captain Tony Madrigal (right).

Ms. Kemp said she and the other clerical staff members at the jail work very closely with the booking desk supervisors and are dependant on them to make sure all the paperwork is correct before it gets to their desk.

“Cpl. Coleman makes sure his booking staff is aware of the procedure for processing the paperwork, and any time there is an issue he makes sure that all necessary measures are taken to correct that issue,” said Ms. Kemp. “This helps to ensure our agency has the paperwork correct before it is sent to outside agencies and/or made public record.”

She went on to explain there have been recent changes in paperwork procedures, but Cpl. Coleman “… has embraced these changes and made sure his staff is implementing them.”

By doing this, said Ms. Kemp, the corporal keeps the clerical staff from getting negative feedback from the judicial system.

“I believe where our leaders go, we will follow. And I think Cpl. Coleman is doing a great job of leading by example and should be recognized for this,” she added.

Sergeant Mark Roberts (center) heads up the School Resource Officer Unit and for his work with that unit was tabbed as the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office employee of the second quarter in the law enforcement division. Presenting him with his certificate are Sheriff Paul May (left) and Major Noel Stephen (right).

“Sgt. Roberts put together all the camps for this summer and did a great job,” said Capt. Bell.

Sgt. Roberts heads up the School Resource Officer (SRO) unit for the sheriff’s office and is responsible for not only putting summer camps together, but also making sure they all run smoothly.

“I would also like to nominate the SROs for a unit citation for helping out and carrying out the youth camps this summer,” added the captain. “I know there is a lot of work that goes into putting everything together.”

A special unit citation was given to the B-Squad Dispatch staff for their work during a May 8 blaze that involved a commercial building. They were nominated by Public Safety director and Okeechobee County Fire/Rescue Chief Ralph Franklin.

The B-Squad dispatch unit was selected to receive a special unit citation for the professional manner in which they handled a commercial building fire. Left to right are: dispatcher Kayla Hardin, dispatcher Lucia Greear, Major Noel Stephen, Corporal Liz Kelly and Sheriff Paul May. Not pictured is dispatcher Stephanie Jarrell.

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